William G. Preuitt
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana ArchivesMay be copied for non-profit purposes.

William G. Preuitt, one of Montana's representative 
citizens, dates his birth in Madison County, Illinois 
March 31, 1843. Mr. Preuitt comes from Colonial ancestors. 
His grandfather Solomon Preuitt was born in Alabama and in 
the year 1800 removed to Illinois, settling in Madison 
County where he lived to the advanced age of eighty-
nine years. In Madison County our subject's father, James 
Preuitt, was born, married and spent his life. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Malinda Storkey was a native of 
Tennessee, her ancestors having long been residents of 
that state. Two sons were born to them: Elias K., who 
resides at the home place in Illinois, and William 
Greene, whose name heads this sketch. The latter was 
reared on his father's farm, spent his boyhood days 
in attendance at the common schools, and when he 
reached the age of twenty years he engaged in the 
hay and grain business in Dorsey Illinois.Mr. Preuitt 
arrived in Helena in the year 1866. He came to the 
Territory a poor young man making the journey on foot 
and upon his arrival here, his first job of work was 
that of driving oxen on a ranch. Soon afterward he 
secured a clerkship in a wholesale liquor store in 
Helena in which he continued for four years. He then 
returned to Illinois and that year, 1870 he married 
Willie M. Hundley, daughter of Colonel William B. 
Hundley and A.(Lucket) Hundley, the former a native 
of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia.Coming back 
to Helena with his wife soon after his marriage, Mr. 
Preuitt resumed his former position and subsequently 
purchased an interest in the establishment. In 1879 
in company with his father-in-law, he purchased the 
business and continued it successfully until 1887. 
That year he sold out. Several years previous to this 
he had been engaged in the stock business and had 
become one of the noted breeders of thoroughbred 
horses and graded cattle. This business he still 
continues, being the owner of an 880-acre stock ranch. 
At this writing (1894) he is also engaged in the 
hardware business, being a member of the firm of 
Sturrock and Preuitt, owners of the largest hardware 
establishmentsin the city.Mr. Preuitt's elegant 
residence, located on the corner of Eighth Avenue 
and Rodney Street is one of the finest homes in 
Helena. He and his wife have four children, 
all natives of this city. Their oldest Hundley 
H., has charge of hisfather's cattle interest. 
Elias K. is in his father's store. The other 
two are Willie M and Payton L.

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